The invention comprises a system and method for providing for pulses or relatively low energy light to an area of skin being treated. Typically, these low energy pulses will include shorter wavelength light, and will provided for multiple pulses of light for the area being treated. The pulse width is determined by the characteristics of a storage capacitor and the flashlamp. The overall system design can be relatively simple, and the operation of such a system can allow for operation by relatively inexperienced users. Due to the low energy pulse, it can be necessary to apply a greater overall amount of energy per treatment area relative to other previous systems, but due to the relatively long period of time between pulses the operation is such that risk of injury is significantly reduced relative to prior systems.